5 Things I Do As An Elopement Photographer To Run A Sustainable Business

Happy Friday y’all! How about that winter weather last weekend? Just when I was thinking Arkansas wouldn’t be getting any snow this year, we had a full on blizzard! Or at least our version of a blizzard lol. Anyone living in Colorado probably wouldn’t call this a blizzard, but for us it’s a pretty big deal.

Anyways, today I’m talking about sustainability. Specifically, how I run a sustainable photography business. While I of course keep the topic in mind when I make every decision about my business, there are also things that I decided very early on would always be a part of how I run this business, because the earth is important to me – and I know it’s important to you too.

A couple smiling and leaning in for a kiss in a snowy outdoor setting, with sunlight glowing behind them.

A joyful couple sharing a close moment, with the woman laughing and wearing glasses while the man smiles affectionately, captured in soft sepia tones.

My Sustainable Photography Business Practices

I Buy Used Gear

Buying high quality used gear helps me reduce waste, save money, contribute to a circular economy, and patronize a local business. My first DSLR camera (that I still have and use as a backup, for personal projects and trips, etc.) was given to me by my parents when I graduated high school, and they purchased it refurbished. My current camera body and one of my lenses I purchased used. Another one of my lenses was given to me by a friend from her father who didn’t use it anymore. Also, any props that I bring with me to sessions or weddings are always thrifted – ring trays, blankets, baskets, sheets, stools, etc.

In full transparency, there are a few things I use for my business that I don’t purchase second hand. I always buy new memory cards and hard drives, because I want to be able to trust that they will keep your photos safe. I also bought one of my lenses brand new, back before Bree Hanan Photography was even a concept. And, most recently, I bought a new flash. My old (second hand) flash was starting to give out on me, and I couldn’t find a good used one.

A couple leaning in for a kiss, illuminated by sunlight with a soft, sepia filter.

A couple laughing and enjoying each other's company in a snowy outdoor setting. The man is wearing a gray hoodie and a beanie, while the woman is dressed in a brown jacket over a green shirt. They are surrounded by trees in a winter landscape.

A couple standing close together, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes, with sunlight creating a halo effect around them in a warm, sepia-toned photograph.

A couple sharing a joyful moment outdoors, with the woman laughing while the man leans in close, both wearing warm winter clothing against a scenic snowy background.

A couple enjoying a joyful moment outdoors, with a warm sunlight glow, featuring a man with a beard in a knit hat and a woman with glasses smiling happily.

A couple walking hand in hand through a snowy landscape, with sunlight filtering through the trees.

I Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is very important to me, and I have resources all over my website for you (click here to read my blog post “Leave No Trace (LNT) Wedding Guide: Tips & Resources”, and click here to access my freebie “Leave No Trace Wedding Guest Guide”), as well as in my welcome guide that gets sent as soon as you book a session with me. It’s part of the discussion as I help you plan your wedding or session. And it’s non-negotiable during every session I shoot.

I Deliver Online Galleries

There are so many different ways that other photographers deliver their client galleries. But the one that I’ve chosen to use in my business is to deliver an online gallery of high quality, fully edited photos. This method helps me reduce waste by eliminating the need for a dedicated CD or USB drive with your photos on it (although I do recommend you save your gallery to more than one place once it’s downloaded – cloud storage, an external hard drive, a USB drive, etc.). You can save your photos to devices you already own and share with other data so that there is no wasted space.

A man and a woman holding hands while walking in a snowy outdoor setting, both smiling and enjoying the moment. The man has a beard and is wearing a grey hoodie, while the woman has long hair and is dressed in a brown jacket.

A couple sharing a joyful moment, smiling at each other in a close embrace, with natural light creating a soft background.

A couple sharing a romantic kiss while lying on a snow-covered ground, surrounded by natural scenery. The woman has long hair and glasses, wearing a cozy jacket, while the man, with a beard and wearing a knit hat, is smiling up at her.

I Order High Quality Prints

In my contract with you, there is a print release so that you have the option of printing your photos from anywhere (click here to read last week’s post on why I’m so passionate about everyone printing their photos!). But I also have an option to order prints through me. I work with an amazing small print shop that always delivers the highest quality prints and albums that are beautiful heirloom pieces. I do this because if you’re ordering photos from me, I want them to last for generations without fading. They may be slightly more expensive than a pharmacy 1-hour photo booth, but in my opinion it is worth the price (and by the way, I only charge a small fee if you’re ordering an album from me since I design it for you – all other prints are priced at cost!). Click here to see my prints pricing page.

I Prioritize Promoting Local Businesses

Did you know that I have a section of my website dedicated to showcasing other local elopement vendors? It’s constantly evolving as I discover other vendors who have the same values in their businesses that I have. The vendors listed on my website are all local to Northwest Arkansas (hiring local vendors is a big win for sustainability), but I have also written a blog post for any non-local readers that teaches you how to find vendors that share your values wherever you are!

A couple embracing and laughing together outdoors, with sunlight filtering through trees in the background. The man is wearing a knit hat and a gray hoodie, while the woman has long brown hair and glasses, dressed in a brown coat.

A person in a gray jacket and black beanie playfully tossing snow, with snowflakes flying in the air, against a blurred winter background.

Final Thoughts

My business is by no means perfect when it comes to sustainability, but I do my best to consider all options carefully and choose the most sustainable one when making any business decisions. I’m always researching and learning, and one of the beautiful things about owning my own business is that it grows with me. I’m sure that how I do some things will change in the future, but my goal is that it will always be for the better.

A couple enjoying a joyful moment together outdoors, seated on snow-covered ground, smiling and looking at each other warmly, dressed in winter clothing.

A couple smiling at each other outdoors, dressed warmly for winter. The man has a beard and wears a black beanie and gray sweatshirt, while the woman has long hair and glasses, wearing a tan coat.

A woman with long hair and glasses is laughing while running through the snow, wearing a brown jacket and jeans. A man in a gray coat and black beanie is walking away in the background.

Two people play in the snow, one throwing snow towards the other in a winter setting.

*All my blog posts contain a selection of images that I’ve taken. If you are interested in booking a wedding or session with me, I am more than happy to send you a full gallery upon request!

I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a portraits/elopements/branding photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook and sign up for my monthly newsletter to get exclusive wedding planning advice and access to all of my new (and old) freebies! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!

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5 Things I Do As An Elopement Photographer To Run A Sustainable Business